The title holders gave a mediocre performance in their African campaign curtain raiser as they lacked harmony in midfield and accuracy upfront.

Ahli coach Manuel Jose fielded Tunisian Anis Boujelbene in the attacking midfielder position in place of injured playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika and gave Hassan Mostafa a rare start in the absence of holding midfielder Mohamed Shawki.

Ahli’s sole dangerous attempt on goal in the first leg came through Flavio Amado who produced a superb bicycle kick that was firmly denied by goalkeeper Gilbert Banda in the 13th minute.

Highlanders responded in the 42nd minute when Ricky Sibia caught Ahli’s defense napping and fired towards Essam Al-Hadari’s goal, but the Egypt international produced a fine save.

Flavio continued to be Ahli’s most dangerous player after the break, coming close from scoring on three occasions.

The Angolan international had a goal disallowed in the 85th minute after the referee adjudged it as a handball.

The Egyptian giants had Wael Gomaa to thank for saving them blushes when he slid to deny Sibia who was in a one-on-one position with the stranded Al-Hadari in the dying minutes of the game.

Ahli need a win over Highlanders in the second-leg in Cairo two weeks from now to advance to the round of 16.